Quick Hits 3/31/09

It is coming across the wire that John Calipari has agreed to terms and will be the coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. Calipari took some time, but in the end it was not much of a decision. It is Kentucky, enough said. Like UNC, Duke, UCLA, and Kansas, this is the job you dream about. The possibility to coach at a school with tradition as rich as Kentucky, is a what coaches work towards there whole career.

Calipari has made Memphis into the powerhouse that it is – a very good program that will dominate C-USA and will have to fight to a No. 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA. But at Kentucky, if you win either then regular season or the tourney, you are guaranteed a No. 1 seed.

But you must win championships or you will be forced out (i.e. Smith, Tubby – thanks crazy Kentucky fans).

I do think Calipari could have become a legend at Memphis, but would struggle to win a championship. If Calipari is able to bring any of his players and recruits with him, the Wildcats will be a contender and the favorite to win the SEC NEXT season (that might be a not-so-subtle statement on the state of the SEC, but he is that good at changing the culture.)

Curry to Duke

The nation’s leading freshman scorer, Seth Curry, is packing his bags and heading to Cameron Indoor Stadium. Curry will not be able to play until the 2010-11 season, but will be joining a talented and deep Blue Devil squad – that depends on who returns.

Maybe Seth could convince his brother to sit out next season and join him at Duke in 2010. I mean, Stephen is the a big reason he is getting interest from Duke in the first place.

Draft Declarers

The majority of college basketball players are at home watching, just like me. But unlike me, many are being tempted by agents and who will paint a picture of teams throwing money at these young men like they have never seen before.

That is why I consider this the time when student athletes can ruin their lives, by making really stupid choices for all the right reasons. So, unless you are one of the guaranteed top 10-15 picks, DO NOT HIRE AN AGENT and please weigh the options, carefully.

Everyone who does not have the last name Evans, please proceed with caution.

Here is the list of the latest players to declare for the draft:

Nick Calathes, guard from Florida

DaJuan Summers, forward from Georgetown

Brandon Costner, forward from North Carolina State

B.J. Mullens, center from Ohio State

Tyreke Evans, guard from Memphis

Gerivis Vasquez, guard from Maryland

This would be a awesome six man line-up.

Things to Come:

Break downs of both Final Four Games – Matthew will be look at the UNC/Villinova match-up and I will take the UConn/MSU game.

Finale of DTP Bracket Challenge – a last look at the sad state of bracket.

Recap of my Preseason Picks – some good, some bad. All in all, I can’t complain.